Number-display plate for vehicles.



S GEE.

NUMBER DISPLAY PLATE FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION TILED FEB. 19, 1012.

Patented Mar. 17, 1914.

Fig. 5

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NUMBER-DISPLAY PLATE FOR VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 1 7, 1914.

Application filed February 19, 1912. Serial No. 678,731.

To aZZ'w/mmz'tmay concern: Be 1t known that I, SAMUnr. Gan, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of .Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Number-Display llates for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention" relates to number display plates for vehicles, and has for its object to provide a number plate adapted to be held in a casing, said plate being of a composite construction, the same comprising a middle plate of ground glass or other suitable translucent material covered and protected on both sides by plates of metal, said latter plates having duplicate registering openings which form indicating numbers or characters plainly visible by day and through which light from within the casing may shine to illuminate said characters by night.

A further object of the invention is to fasten the glass plate between the two metal plates by binding the whole together all around the edge thereof, and to also provide suitable means whereby the plate will be held firmly and prevented from rattling when positioned in its casing.

It is found in practice where number plates are made entirely of glass with the characters painted thereon, that owing to their large size and exposed position, they often become broken and fall out permitting the draft to extinguish the light and render the signal useless. Then again, owing to their frail, breakable nature, it is impracticable for the State authorities to manufacture, handle or distribute such plates, and therefore transparent display plates for this purpose, although much preferred on account of their distinctness at night, have not been adopted. Further a glass plate with the characters printed thereon permits the light to shine through the background and not through the characters themselves by which arrangement the 'best results are not obtained.

By the use of a plate of my improved construction all of the above difficulties are obviated. Both faces of the glass are supported and protected by metal plates and all are bound together, forming one composite plate, and even though the glass should be come broken in this plate it is impossible for the pieces to fall out being retained in position by the metal plates, thereby positively protecting the light within until such time as the broken glass may be replaced by a new one. Then again, the light by night shines directly through the characters themselves and not through the background around the characters, which is by far the 'most effective method for illuminating a character plate. Then again, this transparcnt plate thus protected may be handled and distributed by the State authorities without fear of breakage.

\Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Of the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view representing a numbcr display casing in which my improved number plate is mounted. Fig. 2 illustrates a central transve se sectional view of the casing showing the grooves in which my improved number plate is held. Fig. 3 illustrates the manner of forming my improved plate with the duplicate openings out through a single sheet of metal, which openings are adapted to register when the metal is folded substantially upon itself. Fig. t is a perspective view showing a portion of the plates illustrating the metal folded so that the characters in the two opposing parts will register, leaving a space between for the reception of the translucent glass plate. Fig. 5 is a view slightly in perspective showing the translucent glass plate. Fig. 6 is a transverse section, slightly in perspective, through the finished plate showing the two metal plates inclosing the glass plate and the whole secured together by a binding of suitable material. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional end view showing a portion of the plate with the outside edge covered with ,a comparatively soft silencing material to prevent the plate from rattling in the casing.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates the casing in which the number plate is hold. This casing is provided with a removable tubular member 2 which is adapted to hold a candle 3, or other suitable means to provide illumination for the interior of the casing. in some cases this tubular member 2 is removed and an oil lamp is positioned in its place. Then again, in some cases acctylcnc or electricity may be'connccted to the interior of the casing in any of the well known Ways for illuminating purposes. I have shown a bulls eye or red signallin the upper part of the casing the same being illuminated by a reflected light through the mirror This display casing is provided with sockets 6 6 through which the bracket '7 is passed and by which the casing is secured in peer tion on the vehicle. a The front edge of this casing is provided with longitudinal grooves 8 8 into which the display number plate 9 is slid endwisc from one end of the casing. The essemial feature of my present invention is the particular construction of this number plate which is that of taking a sheet of metal 10 of the proper length and a'little more than twice as wide as the width of the finished plate and stamping, cutting or punching the required numbers or characters 11 through one portion of the plate. and a duplicate set 12 through another portion of the plate so that when said plate is folded along its middle portion 13 a front plate 1st and a back plate 15 are formed in which opposite plates the characters will register one With the other. I

A plate 16 of suitable translucent material for properly dillusing the light, prelhrably of opalescent glass, is placed in the space 17 between said front plate l land rear plate 15 and then the whole is firmly secured together by a binding of brass 18 or other suit able material all around its edge forming a single composite plate, strong and durable in construction having a back and front tacing of metal and by means of the translucent filling the characters in the plate are adapt ed to be Well illuminated by night whereby the legal requirements of the State authorities are fully complied with.

It Will be noted that by my construction [llG light shines through the characters themselves and not through the background around the characters, thereby causing these characters to stand out boldly and distinctly, which is not the case when. the reverse at rangement is used. P

In some cases I cover the brass binding 18 with an outer binding or covering 19 see Fig. 7 7 of felt, lead or other suitable'silencing material to absorb the noise and prey'ent the plate from rattling when held in the casing.

I claim:

A vehicle signal plate comprising a sheet metal plate perforated to providetwo symmetrically arranged roWs of characters, the characters of one row being reversed and in reversed order, said plate being bent on a line between said rows of characters to bringthe latter intoregisterwvith each other, 

